Gemma Tebbutt
Gemma Tebbutt of Ridgefield has earned the Girl Scouts of America’s Gold Award, representing the highest achievement by a Scout. Gemma, a junior at The Harvey School in Katonah, N.Y., earned the award for creating a sustainable program to help special education children transition to a new elementary school.
Working with the special education department in the Wilton Public Schools, Gemma worked to help special needs second graders transition from pre-K through second grade at Miller-Driscoll School to third grade in an unfamiliar setting at Cider Mill School. Gemma saw it as a daunting transition for any young child to move to a larger school where the student population is divided into four houses. Gemma said it was a particularly difficult change for students with learning disabilities, so she created a program that became a part of the summer school experience of children academically at risk.
To make them feel more at ease in their new school environment, Gemma engaged the children in games, introduced them to faculty and support staff, and took them on tours of the Cider Mill campus.
“I felt that if the children could feel more comfortable in their new school, it would help them, especially those at risk from falling behind,” Gemma said. As part of her project, she worked with a team of teachers assisted by Dr. Kelly Raymond, psychologist, and had some help from one her friends.
“It was a difficult project but worth it in the end,” Gemma said. “It was also worthwhile getting involved in your community.”
Harvey Upper School Head Phil Lazzaro praised Gamma for her accomplishment. “I am extremely proud of Gemma for her work in the Girl Scouts organization and subsequent national recognition within the organization. Gemma is an outstanding young woman with a very bright future.”
Gemma, an honor student who hopes to pursue a career in animation, said she enjoys working with children and has given some thought to the field of teaching.